TORONTO – Club vs. country is an ongoing fight in international soccer, especially during national-team selection time.
Stephen Hart, who’s entrusted with qualifying Canada for Brazil 2014, endured the latest round with clubs on both sides of the pond.
The Canadian National Team coach unveiled Thursday his 20-man roster for two upcoming home friendlies, and five MLS players were among the names called. Those included three from Toronto FC (F Dwayne De Rosario, M Julian de Guzman, D Nana Attakora) and one each from D.C. United (D Dejan Jakovic) and Real Salt Lake (M Will Johnson).
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Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann was a notable absentee.
With MLS heading down the home stretch, Hart said he was highly aware of the delicate balancing act and told the media that his roster was a product of cooperation.
“There’s always some wheeling and dealing [with clubs],” said Hart on player availability and playing time. “It’s early in the season and clubs have various – not just their league – but early Cups and that sort of thing, so there’s always some wheeling and dealing.”
In Toronto’s case, Hart’s call comes at a difficult time for coach Preki, who’s in the midst of a tough juggling act. The Reds are teetering on the edge of the MLS playoff picture with key players out due to injuries or suspensions.
On top of that, TFC face a crowded schedule, thanks to CONCACAF Champions League matches, and need a full complement of players to be able to compete on all fronts.
“I’ve spoken to Stephen numerous times,” said Mo Johnston, TFC’s director of soccer. “I’m very supportive of the national-team program. It’s important that Canadian soccer gets better, we’re here to help we’re not here to disrupt anything. We’re more than happy the guys are going away.
“Look, is it disruptive a little bit?" Johnston continued. "Yes, because they have your best players. Again, that’s why you have a good squad and you have to keep finding better players and making your next 16 and 17 better – so that they can come in once these guys are away with the national team, so it’s important the national team do well and that Toronto does well.”
Canada face Peru on Sept. 4 in Toronto the same day Toronto FC are on the road to face FC Dallas. Three days later, Hart’s side takes on World Cup finalists Honduras in Montreal, a night before TFC are at Chicago in a key intraconference match.
Scheduling is made more difficult by the fact MLS doesn’t go on hiatus for FIFA match dates like its European counterparts. It’s unlikely the TFC trio will play all 90 minutes in both games, but even one game away could have an impact on Toronto’s playoff aspirations.
“I feel for Toronto because they’re trying to get into the playoffs," Hart said, adding that all MLS teams are challenged by national-team call-ups.
Hart is trying to prepare Canada for World Cup qualifying and has earmarked 2010 to see as many players as possible. This year alone, he has had 43 different players in training camps to develop depth on the squad.
But with Canada having dropped 38 places to No. 101 in the FIFA rankings the last two months, Hart is under some pressure to win and improve the country’s ranking. A respectable ranking is key to landing quality opposition that will be important preparation for next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying, which begins in 2012.
